4 Things Your Boss Wants From You
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 01:39PM Not everyone knows how to behave at work. It's no mystery that employers don't appreciate disgruntled, whiny employees but the average person may not fully understand what the organization does want.
One of the most important skills employers look for in their employees is the ability to problem solve. Knowing how to approach a problem-any problem-is a talent management values. If a worker is able to take the personal reaction out of a situation and instead define, investigate, and resolve an issue, their manager will notice and often reward them for that approach.
Being able to trust an employee is also at the top of their list. Trustworthiness goes beyond not stealing a few dollars out of the till at the end of the day. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say as well as doing what you've said you're going to do earns you high marks with management. Not under- or over-stating your abilities, available resources, or capacity lets them know they can trust what you say in other areas as well.
Some people are a little surprised when they learn that employers actually value opinions. Staff can often feel shot down or helpless when it comes to sharing their perspective on things and therefore not believe that their opinion matters. What makes the difference to the boss, though, is in how that opinion is delivered. Pointing out everything that's wrong with a process without providing solutions (notice there's an "s" on the end of solution) isn't what he's looking for. He wants to see that your view takes in the bigger picture and demonstrates a desire to make positive changes within the confines of available resources.
And, finally, attitude is everything. Employers have enough to think about without having to deal with sad saps and complainers. Coming in every day with the best of intentions and demonstrating that you're happy to be there gets you noticed. A lesser qualified person can be promoted over a peer with a great resume simply based on his better attitude. Show that you're up for any job by smiling, graciously accepting performance critiques, and demonstrating a willingness to learn more about not only the tasks at hand but those beyond your current responsibilities.
About the Author: Vivian Scott is a Professional Certified Mediator with a private practice in the Seattle area. Author of "Conflict Resolution At Work For Dummies" (Wiley Publishing 2009), which is a practical guide for resolving problems at work, she believes the book is a must-have for anyone interested in restoring peace, training others to get along better, preventing conflicts from ever starting, and boosting morale. The advice contained in the book works just as well for individuals outside the workplace. See Scott's website at http://www.vivianscottmediation.com for more information on mediation and resolving conflicts.
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